Research Systems Engineer
Job Summary
Caltech seeks to recruit a Research Systems Engineer for an 18-month effort on developing engineering methods for building synthetic cells. This individual will be responsible for building and leading a small team of 3-4 biological engineers who develop and disseminate systematic engineering methods for design and implementation of synthetic cells. If successful, this effort will kickstart a larger activity in creating a rigorous engineering methodology and associated open-source, hardware software, and wetware artifacts used by the synthetic cell community to scale up the complexity of engineered biological systems.
Project background:
Biomachines, capable of sensing, actuating, and regulating biological processes, will be critical for producing functional biologically-based materials, modulating the biosphere, and creating systems that approach nature’s functionality. Designing and implementing such complex machines will require a paradigm shift in the process of biological systems engineering. Today, small teams of synthetic biologists in academic research groups work the entire “stack” from design of cell-level functionality to implementation in DNA. This approach can yield impressive collections of biosynthetic components and demonstrations of simple proof-of-concept functionality, but cannot approach the complexity of the engineered systems so integral to our daily lives, such as cars, cell phones, or computers.
To address this gap, our long-term goal is to formulate, demonstrate, and evaluate a new model for biological systems engineering. To develop and demonstrate this approach, a team of research engineers will integrate components and circuits created by others to implement a non-trivial biological function. The demonstration will include standardizing components and chassis, “routinizing” the required workflows, and systematizing the design abstractions and tools. An 18-month seed effort will focus on proof-of-concept integration in synthetic cells that would yield a novel, multicomponent “biomachine”, while generating and disseminating a set of component measurement tools, design abstractions, software tools, laboratory protocols, and open-source artifacts (hardware, software, wetware) to the community. Leveraging the experience and insights of the PI and listed collaborators, the demonstration should attract considerable attention in the community and would serve as a springboard for development of standards, protocols, and workflows for biological systems engineering. If successful, this effort should scale up to a larger-scale effort that would attract external funding and involve the establishment of a new non-profit or commercial entity.
Essential Job Duties
Work with the steering committee (Endy, Fremont, Murray, Strychalski) to define the initial demonstration project, components/partners, and required tools.
Hire and supervise 2-3 engineers and technicians to execute the project over a 12-18 month period.
Identify and work with partners to supply component technologies, test out tools and workflows, and provide updates to component technologies used in the demonstration project.
Implement a sequence of 2-4 design cycles, with each iteration ending in a demonstration of system functionality, reproducibility by multiple labs, and release of component designs, verified and validated protocols and workflows, and design automation tools.
Maintain a set of open-source artifacts (hardware, software, wetware protocols, databases, and software tools) via appropriate platforms and enable the use of workflows and tools by the synthetic biology and synthetic cell communities.
Provide regular (biweekly or monthly) updates to the steering committee summarizing activities and progress against goals and milestones.
Set up and run a quarterly meeting of the steering committee with the engineering team to review work, provide advice, make connections, and link to other activities with which the steering committee is involved.
Basic Qualifications
PhD or equivalent experience in synthetic biology.
Experience with open-source software tools (e.g., GitHub, PyPI).
Experience with community building and/or crowdsourcing.
Preferred Qualifications
Participation in and contributions to Build-A-Cell activities.
Experience and/or knowledge in metrology and quantitation of biological systems and processes.
Excellent communication skills and involvement in consortia-type activities.
Experience with program management and supervision of technical personnel.
Required Documents
CV
Cover Letter
List of 3 references
Hiring Range
$120,000 - $150,000 per year
The salary of the finalist(s) selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, experience, education, specialty and training.
As one of the largest employers in Pasadena, CA, Caltech is committed to providing comprehensive benefits to eligible employees and their eligible dependents. Our benefits package includes competitive compensation, health, dental, and vision insurance, retirement savings plans, generous paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick time, parental leave, bereavement, etc.), tuition reimbursement, and more. Non-benefit eligible employees will have access to some benefits such as onsite counseling and sick time. Learn more about our benefits and staff perks.
COVID-19 Vaccine Required for All Employees
Caltech has implemented a mandatory vaccination policy effective October 15, 2021, requiring COVID-19 vaccinations for all employees (with Institute-approved exemptions for religious or medical contraindications only). At present, an individual is deemed “fully vaccinated” when that person has received, at least 14 days prior, either the second dose in a two-dose COVID-19 vaccine series (e.g., Pfizer or Moderna) or a single-dose COVID-19 vaccine (e.g., Johnson & Johnson). Upon eligibility, employees are required to receive the COVID-19 booster as part of the vaccine mandate. As a condition of employment, employees must submit official COVID-19 vaccine documentation. More information may be found here.
EEO Statement
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Caltech is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.
To read more Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) go to eeoc_self_print_poster.pdf.
Disability Accommodations
If you would like to request an accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to Caltech Recruiting at employment@caltech.edu.
